5 reeeeaaaalllly important questions and only 1 answer

Despite how very much I would like to be one of those people who is truly gifted at solving other people's problems, I'm aware that what I do well is ask questions. I might think I can figure all of your shit out for you -- oh, and let's be honest, I will likely try --  but it's really probably always best for me to stick to my curiosities.

My family knows this and I'm often prompted while we're all sitting around a bonfire or at a holiday dinner or are just bored in the car to ask questions that will ignite conversation. And I rattle them off dutifully -- What album changed the way you think about music? What would you change your first name to if you could? What should it say on your tombstone? Which famous comic speaks most to your sense of humor?

Being able to ask good questions helps me in job interviews, at parties, in a room with a bunch of people I don't know. It has spurred me on in my career, helping me make connections in only a few minutes with authors, politicians and celebrities.

But I've also been told that I seem like I am interrogating the people I want to get to know most intimately and sometimes I have a hard time slowing down the questions swirling through my mind when I first meet someone I find fascinating.

At my job at Shine, many commenters accuse me of a lot of things (nothing like being told regularly you are the worst health writer on the web to really keep a grrrl wanting to come back to work!). This week alone, I've been told I am clearly not a scientist (true) but am a soccer hater (not true) and am self-righteous (only sometimes) and dumb (OK, many days this one has legs). This feedback always strikes me as funny because I think I am quite clear when I write my opinion and when I'm presenting a topic for discussion. I always end my Shine posts with a question, mostly because I want to engage the readers, get a conversation started that might very well include opinions far different from my own. The hope here is that I will remove myself as an expert (because, just as I am not a scientist, I am nowhere near a nutritionist/personal trainer/gynecologist/other kind of doctor/life coach/boob maven). Even if I present factual information, I ask a question because I want to know how some study or medicine or high-fructose nastiness impacts the people reading. Alas, some people just don't get it, and I guess I have to be OK with that. Right? (See? A question.)

Far from the perfect writer (hello, typos and an affinity for hyphenated phrasing)/lady friend/family member/inquisitor, I'm embracing the questions, trying really hard to really listen to the responses, and working at not worrying about having all the answers.

To celebrate that, here are a few of the questions I've posed in the last few weeks on Shine. I'm pretty sure that just considering them will change your life (not really). Just to ensure that my bossy ways offer just a bit of balance, I've thrown in one answer as well.

Please do ponder and feel free to respond. Or even answer. I'm good with you doing it all.

1. Is this the greatest toy ever?

2. Does posting my workouts on Facebook make me irritating or empowered?

3. Have you ever gutted out an injury?

4. Who gave you the best birth control advice?

5. Do you need to like your personal trainer?

BONUS! The chicken and the egg question's finally solved (phew). Plus, you'll crack up (sorry) to read how the creationists came out to comment on this one.

Comments

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